Kean eager to end season on a high

12 May 2012 14:47:01

Beleaguered Blackburn boss Steve Kean claims his team still have plenty to give as they prepare to bow out of the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

Rovers' dismal campaign will end in the relegation long feared by supporters after Monday's miserable home loss to Wigan cut them adrift of safety. It was their seventh defeat in eight games and Kean, much as he has been all season, was barracked mercilessly by irate fans wanting his removal throughout.

Kean, who has vowed to fight on and is taking this weekend's seemingly meaningless trip to Chelsea very seriously, said: "We have got pride. We have shown that every game matters to us, even when we don't get a result."

He added: "There were a few questions put our way on commitment and application against Tottenham [2-0 defeat at White Hart Lane on April 29], which I felt was very harsh. But I think the effort and commitment was there for everyone to see against Wigan. I think for any game, you need to prepare in the proper manner.

"I went to see Chelsea on Tuesday. They made a few changes because they have got a massive game coming up after they play us.

"We have got a few injury worries but we will be picking the strongest possible team and will attempt to get a positive performance and a win at Chelsea. That is what we have to do."

Kean insists he will still be at the club next season, fighting to win promotion back to the top flight from the npower Championship.

The Scot's cause may not have been helped this season by the loss of experienced players such as Chris Samba, Ryan Nelsen and Brett Emerton. The likes of Paul Robinson, Junior Hoilett and Ayegbeni Yakubu will doubtless now be linked with moves away following the relegation.

But Kean is convinced he has the nucleus of a good, young team that can take the club forward. He said: "I said to the lads - the ones that are still in the building - this is not the biggest squad but it is the youngest in the league. I think they can take from this bags of experience.

"The younger lads that have come in - Jason Lowe, Grant Hanley, Adam Henley - together with the senior ones that are left, gave it a really good go. Last season we took it to the last game. This year we had two games to go. We thought we could do it but it slipped through our fingers."